The Tiniest Trailer Roof Leak Can Lead to a Barrel of Problems
Barraged by branches, wind, rain, snow and ice. Beaten by road debris and chemicals. Dinged (or annihilated) by low-hanging road signage. Subject to extreme temperature changes… Subject to such extreme conditions, all trailer roofs can suffer leaks, even new ones. Should you slap a band aid on it, or take your trailer into a professional for help repairing a trailer roof leak? The wrong decision now could cost you later.
Common Quick Fixes
If you’re just trying to ‘get there’ with your cargo, you may be able to patch things up temporarily with fixit favorites like caulk, roofing putties, sprays and roll-ons, mastic-backed and other specialty tapes, or patches. However these quick fixes merely ‘band aid’ the underlying issues – and like a real band aid, will eventually fall off.
Patching Things Up
With minor issues, like a leaky rivet, you could forego the repair shop for the time being. But even seemingly small holes – those over an inch in diameter – are best addressed with replacement sheeting over patches, and inspected by a professional to determine consequent damage and issues with structural integrity. The lightweight structure of trailers is heavily reliant on the roof and rails for support, and when leaks are left unattended, will eventually compromise the trailer structure.
Without Proper Attention, Trailer Damage Will Amplify from Leaks
- Saturating pallets and boxes to compromise the structural integrity of loads.
- Damaging goods and causing clients to reject cargo.
- Rotting floorboards.
- Degrading other essential structural components like trailer rails and walls, resulting in total trailer loss.
The Pay Now or Pay Later Conundrum
At Ainsworth, we’re honest folks, and we understand the appeal of quick fixes – because they’re typically also cheap, and seem like they keep you on the road. But the cold, hard truth is, this is a ‘penny-wise and pound-foolish’ assumption. A band aid cannot fix a progressing infection. For lasting repair, a trailer roof must be mended with the proper components. Environmental conditions must be right, and affected areas must be thoroughly cleaned, with loose roof coatings, sealant, and other stuck-on debris removed and surrounding materials completely dry for proper, lasting repairs. Without such attention, you’ll end up needing to replace the entire roof – or trailer! Proper, timely repair results in far less labor, downtime, damage, and money lost in the long run.
Luckily, repairing a trailer roof leak can be accomplished correctly, quickly, and affordably. Nix the ‘quick fix’ and schedule ‘express service.’ Find out more about our ‘fast lanes’ and fast, industry-renowned, dependable service and estimates. Contact Ainsworth today.
